Graduate Nursing Course Descriptions

Submitted by administrator on Fri, 11/21/2014 - 12:25

Note: All courses require admission to the program or a petition with approval by the MSN program director.

BI 805 Cadaver Applications in Anatomy

Three semester hours
The focus of this graduate elective course centers on expansion of the graduate student’s foundational anatomy knowledge, brought from their undergraduate and clinical experiences through detailed cadaver dissection and lecture. Correlation of pertinent regional anatomy to clinical cases and/or areas of graduate study will be emphasized when relevant. Lecture and lab will be held at the University of Nebraska Medical Center Cadaver Lab. Course is set up as one lecture hour and two lab hours.Prerequisite: BI 211 or equivalent.

GR 798 Essentials of Scholarly Writing

One semester hour
This course offers one hour of credit for developing skills needed to compose an evidence review of primary studies to address a focused question aimed at improving health care and/or health education. A review of methods to organize the document will be emphasized as well as sharpening basic writing skills, grammar, punctuation, and improving study requirements needed for the scholarly document appropriate for the academic community and professional healthcare arena.Prerequisite: Admission to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program.

NS 799 Role Transition

One semester hour
This course provides a framework for the transition to graduate education and serves as a foundation for the graduate program at Clarkson College. Students will learn how to effectively write scholarly papers, both in terms of format and APA style, and discuss the graduate student role as well as personal challenges to graduate education. This course provides an overview of the Clarkson College online course management platform. It includes a preview of the instructional methods and format of the courses, as well as special features within the course management platform. (NS 371 Role Transition is a comparable course to NS 799, when taken in the RN-MSN Program)Prerequisite: Admission to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program.

NS 801 Theories and Concepts of Advanced Practice Roles

One semester hour
This course provides an overview of the roles of the master’s prepared nurse. The history, growth, and challenges of advanced practice will be explored. Educational requirements, licensure, credentialing, roles, scope of practice, and practice environments to include cultrural aspects, ethical, and legal issues for master’s prepared nurses will be reviewed. Various health policies will be discussed in relationship to the role of the master’s prepared nurse.Prerequisites: GR 798; NS 799.

NS 803 Health Care Delivery Systems and Managed Care

Three semester hours
This course is an overview of the United States health care system as compared to health systems in other countries. It includes the study of the evolution and current state of health care services and insurance, health professionals, quality, health policy, and health services financing. HMOs, PPOs, and POS plans will be reviewed. Additionally, managed care objectives, functions and contracting will be discussed.Prerequisites: GR 798; NS 799, NS 801

NS 804 Application and Evaluation of Theory in Nursing

Three semester hours
This course provides a general introduction to the philosophy of science as it applies to social and human phenomena. The history and process of theory development is discussed and various theories of nursing are analyzed and critiqued. Emphasis is placed on the application of nursing theories related to QSEN, IOM, Healthy People 2020, and evidence-based practice in a variety of settings. Through integrating theory and practice, students are given the opportunity to formulate their own personal application of theory in professional, education, research and service activities.Prerequisites: GR 798; NS 799, NS 801

NS 806 Theories of Learning for the Nurse Educator

Three semester hours
Selected theories of learning, development and cognition are examined in relation to their philosophical underpinnings and basic assumptions. Theory application to program/course design, students/faculty interactions, and evaluation process are explored. Attention to learner needs, different learning environments, and strategies to enhance professional role development will be explored. The impact caring, evidence-based practice, technology, and collaboration have on learning will be examined.Prerequisites: GR 798; NS 799, NS 801, NS 803 and NS 804.

NS 808 Nursing Law and Ethics

Three semester hours
This course provides various ethical frameworks and an overview of the U.S. legal system, as a basis for analyzing health care issues affecting health care institutions, individual patients throughout their life spans, and health care providers. Students will locate and identify primary legal resources related to nursing in order to answer specific legal questions related to their individuals nursing practices. Overall legal-ethical issues common to health care administration, expanded practice nursing, and health care education are reviewed. Selected complex health care ethical dilemmas, such as right to life, right to die, and health care allocation are examined.Prerequisites: GR 798; NS 799 and NS 801.

NS 812 Research Design and Methods

Three semester hours
This course will examine the relationships among nursing theory, research and practice. An emphasis is placed on research competencies for the master’s prepared professional nurse. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the research process, development of a researchable question, basic research designs, and research methodologies for the development of a research proposal applicable to nursing practice.Prerequisites: GR 798; NS 799, NS 847, NS 801, NS 804, NS 830 and NS 847; admission to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program or petition with approval by the Master of Science in Nursing program director.

NS 822 Curriculum Development for the Nurse Educator

Three semester hours
The focus of this course is curriculum development for the nurse educator in higher education, patient education or staff development. Emphasis is placed on the historical background of higher education, philosophical foundations of curriculum, curriculum development, and curriculum designs/models. The impact technological advances along with global issues, regulation, accreditation, and program accountability has on curriculum development are explored.Prerequisites: GR 798; NS 799, NS 801, NS 803, NS 804 and preferably NS 806.

NS 823 Evaluation Strategies for the Nurse Educator

Three semester hours
This course focuses on the process and current issues related to evaluation in nursing education. Evaluation models and concepts related to the measurement of program outcomes and levels, along with course and classroom competen­cies are explored. Additionally, the theories of testing and measurement and a variety of evaluation and assessment instruments are reviewed or developed. Legal and ethical issues related to student admission, progression, and evalua­tion in nursing programs are discussed.Prerequisites: GR 798; NS 799, NS 801, NS 803, NS 804 and preferably NS 806. NS 822 may be taken concurrently.

Three semester hours
This course will provide the application of comprehensive health assessment techniques, pathophysiological changes and pharmacological needs of clients across the lifespan using a case study approach. Application of evidence-based studies related to safe, client-centered care will be explored. Application of teaching strategies to concepts presented will be discussed.Prerequisites:GR 798; NS 799, NS 801, NS 803, NS 804 and preferably NS 806, NS 822 and NS 823.

NS 827 Teaching and Learning Strategies for the Nurse Educator

Three semester hours
This course focuses on the development and implementation of teaching-learning strategies that engage students in the classroom, clinical and skills lab. The theoretical foundations of teaching and learning, methods for instructional planning, sequencing and organizing instruction, and utilization of evolving technological strategies are emphasized. Evidence-based teaching strategies for educators are examined that promote student engagement to provide safe, client-centered care.Prerequisites: GR 798; NS 799, NS 801, NS 803, NS 804 and preferably NS 806, NS 822 and NS 823.

NS 828 Primary Care of the Geriatric Client

Two semester hours
This course provides the student with a framework for geriatric primary care nursing practice. It presents the dynamics of aging and its effects on older adults and their health. Underlying mechanisms of major chronic conditions affecting older adults will be presented. Clinical problems such as incontinence, functioning capacity, safety, nutrition, cognition, skin integrity and iatrogenic illness and their effect on ADLs will be explored. Advanced planning for end of life issues will be discussed. Current practices, strategies and evidence-based findings will support facilitation of interdisciplinary health care management of the geriatric client.Prerequisites: GR 798; NS 799, NS 801, NS 8023, NS 804 and NS 830. Clinical hours: zero.

NS 830 Advanced Physical Assessment

Three semester hours
This course examines the management of common health problems for adults in primary care. A conceptual framework for the primary care nurse practitioner’s clinical practice is explored. The course addresses the concepts of primary health care promotion and maintenance, illness prevention, differentiation of clinical patterns, and clinical decision-making. Refinement of diagnostic reasoning strategies will be the focus. Principles of teaching/learning, family assessment to include the geriatric client, cost analysis, and cultural and spiritual beliefs are integrated in the development of evidence-based practice plans of care. The concept of caring and its role in evidence-based practice will be woven throughout the course. The course will examine the use of informatics in relation to negotiating and managing healthcare delivery systems as members of an interdisciplinary team. The course will integrate advocating professional behavior that advances the profession and improves health outcomes.Prerequisites: GR 798; NS 799, NS 801, NS 803 and NS 804. NS 838 (Advanced Pathophysiology) should be taken prior to NS 830 or concurrently. Note: Requires preceptor and clinical site approval prior to registration.Clinical hours: 50.

NS 832 Primary Health Care I

Three semester hours
This course examines management of common health problems for adults in primary care. A conceptual framework for the primary care nurse practitioner’s clinical practice is explored. The course addresses the concepts of primary care health promotion and maintenance, illness prevention, differentiation of clinical patterns, and clinical decision-making. Refinement of diagnostic reasoning strategies will be a focus. Principles of teaching/learning, family assessment to include the geriatric client, cost analysis, and cultural beliefs are integrated in the development of evidence-¬based practice plans of care. The concept of caring and it's role in evidence-based practice will be woven throughout the course. The course will examine the use of informatics in relation to negotiating and managing healthcare delivery systems as members of an interdisciplinary team. The course will integrate advocating professional behavior that advances the profession and improves health outcomes.Prerequisites: GR 798; NS 799, NS 801, NS 803, NS 804, NS 830 and NS 838. NS 836 (Pharmacology for Practitioners) should be taken prior to NS 832 or concurrently. Note: Requires preceptor and clinical site approval prior to registration.Clinical hours: 120.

NS 834 Advanced Nutrition

Three semester hours
This course emphasizes the essential components of nutrition including cultural aspects to prevent disease and promote and restore the health of individuals and families. Therapeutic diets will be included.Prerequisites: GR 798; NS 799. Recommended concurrent enrollment in NS 840.

NS 836 Pharmacology for Practitioners

Three semester hours
This course will build upon information learned during undergrad¬uate nursing pharmacology courses and refined in practice. Students will review where, why, and how various classes of drugs exert their therapeutic effects (pharmacodynamics). Pharmacokinetic concepts (i.e., the actions of the body on a drug) will also be reviewed. More importantly, advanced practice students will learn to integrate the clinical application of medications in practice to assume the prescriber role of advanced practice. Through the integration of pharmacoki-netics and pharmacodynamics, students will gain an understanding of the predictable nature of the therapeutic actions, correlation of pathophysiology and diagnosis to safely prescribe (pharmacotherapeutic intervention) the appropriate medication across the life span.Prerequisites: GR 798; NS 799 and NS 838. This course should be taken prior to 832 or concurrently.

NS 838 Advanced Pathophysiology

Three semester hours
Pathophysiology is the study of how cells, tissues, organs and organ systems respond to disease. This course is designed to provide the student with a comprehensive foundation of the phenomena that produce alterations in human physiologic function across the lifespan. The course examines general principles of pathology such as inflammation, wound healing, genetic diseases and oncology. The course explores the mechanisms of how disease affects function, and how systems respond to each disease and compensate for disease.Prerequisites: GR 798; NS 799. This course should be taken prior to NS 830 or concurrently.

NS 840 Primary Care of Children and Adolescents

Three semester hours
This course focuses on the management of the common health problems of individuals from birth to adolescence. The course integrates the concepts of primary health care promotion and maintenance, illness prevention, differentiation of clinical patterns, and clinical decision-making. Planning and evaluating care relative to the pediatric client will be emphasized.Prerequisites: GR 798; NS 799, NS 830, NS 832, NS 836 and NS 838. Recommended concurrent enrollment in NS 834 or NS 812. Note: Requires preceptor and clinical site approval prior to registration.Clinical hours: 160.

NS 841 Behavioral Health Care for Practitioners

Three semester hours
This course examines family problems, health risk behaviors and common psychiatric disorders. Refinement of diagnostic reasoning and referral skills will be the focus. Principles of teaching/learning, family assessment, cost analysis, cultural beliefs, service-learning, and diversity are integrated in the development of evidenced-based practice plans of care. The concept of caring and how it plays a part in evidenced-based practice is woven throughout the course.Prerequisites: GR 798; NS 799, NS 830, NS 832, NS 836 and NS 838. Recommended concurrent enrollment in NS 834. Note: Requires preceptor and clinical site approval prior to registration.Clinical hours: 160.

NS 842 Primary Care of Women

Three semester hours
This course examines management of common physical and psychological health issues facing women. Through the use of evidence-based practice as well as teamwork and collaboration, diagnostic reasoning strategies will be developed. Principles of client-centered care, safety, quality improvement, cost analysis, and cultural beliefs are integrated in the development of care strategies. The concept of caring and how it plays a part in the evidence-based practice will be woven throughout the course.Prerequisites: GR 798; NS 799, NS 830, NS 832, NS 834, NS 836, NS 838 and NS 812. Recommended concurrent enrollment in NS 907. Note: Requires preceptor and clinical site approval prior to registration.Clinical hours: 160.

NS 844 Primary Health Care II

Three semester hours
This course examines the management of adult clients with complex/chronic health problems in primary care settings, with special attention given to the geriatric client and clients with emergency issues. A conceptual framework for the primary care nurse practitioner’s clinical practice is explored. The course addresses the levels of health promotion, differentiation of clinical patterns, and clinical decision-making. Refinement of diagnostic reasoning strategies will be emphasized. Principles of teaching/learning, family assessment to include the geriatric client, cost analysis, and cultural and spiritual beliefs are integrated in the development of evidence-based practice plans of care. The concept of caring and its role in evidence-based practice will be woven throughout the course. The course will also examine the use of informatics that relates to management and negotiation of interdisciplinary healthcare delivery systems. The course will integrate the principles of professional advocacy to improve health outcomes.Prerequisites: GR 798; NS 799, NS 801, NS 803, NS 804, NS 808, NS 812, NS 830, NS 832, NS 834, NS 836, NS 838, NS 840, NS 842 and NS 847. NS 908 or NS 909 may be taken concurrently (if NS 907 has been completed). Note: Requires preceptor and clinical site approval prior to registration.Clinical hours: 160.

NS 847 Applied Statistics

Three semester hours
An in-depth coverage of the strategies involved in data analysis, including statistical procedures and interpretation of data for research. Students will apply knowledge of descriptive, parametric, non-parametric, univariate, and selected multivariate approaches to data analysis. Emphasis will be on interpretation of statistical results and on evaluation of published research and its applicability to health care. Each student is expected to be familiar with common terminology and with use of descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including probability, chi-square, student t analysis of variance, rank sum, Mann Whitney U, median test, sign test, and correlation.Prerequisite: GR 798 (Unless NS 847 is a prerequisite for your program); Basic statistics course preferred.

NS 894 Nursing Education Practicum

Three semester hours
This course contains an advanced application of nursing education principles and theories within a school of nursing, patient teaching, or staff development setting. Students are expected to incorporate knowledge gained throughout the education major. The concept of caring and how it plays a part in the design, implementation, and evaluation of a program of study and the students will be emphasized.Prerequisites: GR 798; NS 799, NS 801, NS803, NS 804, NS 808, NS 847, NS 812, NS 806, NS 822, NS 823, NS 826 and NS 827.Co-requisites: NS 910, NS 911 or NS 912.Clinical hours: 135.

NS 899 Independent Study

One to six semester hours
The course includes guided study in special topics under the supervision of a faculty member. Completion of an Independent Study form is required before reg­istration.Prerequisite: Approval of a faculty, Director or Dean required before registration.

NS 910 Evidence-Based Practice Research Project I

One semester hour
NS 910 is the first of three courses culminating in a scholarly, evidence-based practice journal article and poster presentation. The EBP research project allows students to investigate a question of practical importance, or investigate a nursing problem of practice importance by developing and testing an intervention, curriculum or protocol for application to a specific population within a specific setting. Each student will complete a problem statement, theoretical framework and compile a literature review to include the concepts of QSEN, IOM, Healthy People 2020, gerontology, and/or genetics and genomics as appropriate, according to established requirements relevant to their area of concentration.Prerequisites: GR 798, NS 799, NS 847, NS 801, NS 803, NS 804, NS 808, NS 812, NS 830 and 9 additional credit hours of specialty courses. Students may take only one credit hour of EBP at a time.

NS 911 Evidence-Based Practice Research Project II

Two semester hour
NS 911 is the second of three courses culminating in a scholarly, evidence-based practice journal article and poster presentation. The EBP research project allows students to investigate a question of practical importance, or investigate a nursing problem of practice importance by developing and testing an intervention, curriculum or protocol for application to a specific population within a specific setting. The student will build on the material completed in NS 910 and will add the methodology, IRB components and journal query letter. During this process the student will implement evidence-based practice guidelines to include the concepts of QSEN, IOM, Healthy People 2020, gerontology, and/or genetics and genomics as appropriate.Prerequisites: GR 798, NS 799, NS 847, NS 801, NS 803, NS 804, NS 808, NS 812, NS 830, NS 910 and 9 additional credit hours of specialty courses. Students may take only one course of EBP at a time.

NS 912 Evidence-Based Practice Research Project III

One semester hour
NS 912 is the final course in the three courses culminating in a scholarly, evidence-based practice journal article and poster presentation. The EBP research project allows students to investigate a question of practical importance, or investigate a nursing problem of practice importance by developing and testing an intervention, curriculum, or protocol for application to a specific population within a specific setting. The student will build on the material completed in NS 910 I and NS 911 II and will complete the project to include data collection and analysis, findings, discussion, implications and or recommendations, and conclusions. A completed journal article and poster presentation is required. The student will evaluate evidence-based practice guidelines to include the concepts of QSEN, IOM, Healthy People 2020, gerontology, and/or genetics and genomics as appropriate.Prerequisites: GR 798, NS 799, NS 847, NS 801, NS 803, NS 804, NS 808, NS 812, NS 830, NS 910, NS 911 and 9 additional credit hours of specialty courses. Students may take only one course of EBP at a time.